Alvin Gerleman

Alvin Richard “Ricky” Maxmillon Gerleman, age 57, of Cabot, Arkansas, and formerly of Ossian, Iowa, passed away Monday, November 24, 2008. Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M., Saturday, November 29, 2008 in the Chapel of Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home in Cabot, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 P.M., prior to the service on Saturday. Graveside services will be 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian, Iowa, by Rev. Msgr. Cletus J. Hawes, with full military honors. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements. Ricky was born October 16, 1951 in Dyersburg, Tennessee, the son of Richard Joseph and Rita Mae (Gipson) Gerleman. He grew up on the family farm near Ossian and graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in Ossian in 1969. Alvin was a retired Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force where he was an Air Freight Specialist. He served 16 of his 20 years in the Air Force overseas, including, Guam and Japan. Alvin was a member of the American Legion. Alvin is survived by his three sons, James (Sue Dilts) Gerleman of Victor, Colorado, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Gerleman of Woodland Park, Colorado and Joseph Gerleman of Hope Mills, North Carolina; four brothers and sisters: Max Randy (Annette) Gerleman of Lula, Georgia, Fred (Joyce) Gerleman of Highlandville, Iowa, Becky (Mike) Pratt of Gainesville, Georgia and Pam (Pat) Sullivan of Decorah, Iowa; three grandchildren, Andromeda, Jeffrey and Elias Gerleman; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Joseph Gerleman on July 28, 1981; his mother, Rita Mae Gerleman on March 5, 2006; a brother, Gerald Joseph “Joey” Gerleman in December 1978; a sister, Barbara Gerleman in 1960; and a nephew, Corby Randall Gerleman.